{"product_id":"companion-2016-brown-flayed","title":"Companion 2016 (BROWN FLAYED","description":"\u003cp\u003e*APC ART is pleased to present an iconic sculptural work by one of the most influential artists of the last three decades, KAWS.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitled *“Companion 2016”*, this work was released in *2016* by *Medicom Toy* and produced as a *painted cast vinyl sculpture*. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**The “Flayed” variants of these works are becoming extremely hard to find.**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*The Brown variant of this figure has always been a favorite amongst collectors.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**At ten years old, this figure is still brand new in the original packaging. The figure has been kept in a smoke free\/ pet free environment and is part of the private collection of *APC*.**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure measures *11” x 5” x 3”* and is *signed in the plate on the underside of the figure* with the artist’s incised mark: *“KAWS… ’16”*. While designated as an *Open Edition*, production numbers were never disclosed and availability was extremely limited, with examples selling out almost immediately upon release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKAWS (Brian Donnelly) began his career as a street artist in New York City in the 1990s, subverting advertising imagery on bus shelters and billboards before transitioning into one of the most globally recognized figures in contemporary art. His early association with *OriginalFake* and his close working relationship with *NIGO* in Japan were pivotal in shaping both his visual language and his crossover appeal between fine art, fashion, and collectible culture. These formative years established the Companion figure as a modern icon—arguably one of the most recognizable silhouettes in contemporary art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the last two decades, KAWS has achieved milestones that place him firmly in dialogue with artists such as *Andy Warhol*. Like Warhol, KAWS has collapsed distinctions between high art and mass culture, creating works that exist simultaneously in museums, public space, and the consumer marketplace. His practice spans painting, large-scale sculpture, drawing, and street interventions, with major exhibitions and installations across the globe. Notably, *“Seeing \/ Watching”* remains the only permanent public art installation by a contemporary Western artist in China—underscoring KAWS’ unparalleled international reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe *Companion (Flayed)* series represents one of the most important evolutions of the Companion figure. By exposing the internal anatomy beneath the familiar exterior, KAWS introduced vulnerability, mortality, and emotional depth into what had previously been a closed, cartoon-like form. This *Brown Variant* is particularly striking and EXTREMELY sought after, featuring layered tones of pink and red across both the exterior surface and the exposed interior musculature. The contrast between softness of color and anatomical revelation is a defining characteristic of KAWS’ mature sculptural language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*This specific version was released alongside five other “2016 Companions”, via *KAWSONE*. As with virtually all KAWS figures, demand vastly exceeded supply, and the works sold out almost instantly as collectors raced to secure examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom an acquisition standpoint, this work represents an exceptional entry point into KAWS’ sculptural oeuvre. The Companion Flayed variants are widely regarded as some of the most conceptually important and visually compelling figures the artist has produced, and examples in untouched condition continue to become increasingly scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis figure is *brand new*, remains in the *original packaging*, and is in *excellent condition*. It is *in hand* and will *ship immediately from the United States*.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn outstanding opportunity to acquire a defining KAWS sculpture—an instantly recognizable icon of contemporary art and an *exceptional investment opportunity*.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY BY APC ART* \u003cbr\u003e*MIA. ATL. NYC. LA. LONDON. PARIS. TOKYO.*\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003clabel class=\"ControlGroup__Title-sc-2587cfb4-1 iJgrdA\"\u003eProvenance\u003c\/label\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ControlGroup__Description-sc-2587cfb4-2 deluFC\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePurchased direct from Kawsone\/OriginalFake upon release. \u003cbr\u003eEmbedded within the figure is an NFC chip that confirms authenticity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003clabel class=\"ControlGroup__Title-sc-2587cfb4-1 iJgrdA\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/label\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ControlGroup__Description-sc-2587cfb4-2 deluFC\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe work is new. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KAWS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48749730005146,"sku":null,"price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/8917\/2122\/files\/larger_fdffada2-55f9-4c17-93aa-0912cbc712a5.jpg?v=1784144057","url":"https:\/\/apc-art.com\/products\/companion-2016-brown-flayed","provider":"APC Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}